Islamabad April 3, 2008: Co-Chairman PPP Senator Asif Ali Zardari has said that in accordance with the Murree Declaration the PPP was committed to restore the sacked judges saying also that the restoration would be linked to a package of reforms to ensure independence of the judiciary and to stop future adventurers from manipulating it to perpetuate themselves in power.

He said this while addressing a joint meeting of the PPP Central Executive and the Federal Council in Naudero House in Larkana today.

 The joint meeting had been convened to pay homage to Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto on his 29th martyrdom day falling on April 4 and also to the martyred Chairperson Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto.

He said that manipulation of judiciary at the hands of the executive in the past had weakened the institution and it was time that the judiciary was strengthened to serve as bulwark against dictatorship. The people wanted the judges to honor their oath to preserve and protect the Constitution instead of taking fresh oaths of allegiance to an individual ignoring the oath to protect the Constitution, he said.

He said that no body should dictate to the PPP as to what to do in this regard.

The PPP Co Chairman said that the PPP leadership had suffered a great deal in the past at the hands of pliant judges but refused to compromise on principles. He said the rulers who had victimized the Party had themselves admitted through the NRO that the cases against them were politically motivated. He said that the PPP leaders were bothered neither about the cases against them nor by the NRO.

Senator Asif Ali Zardari also said that the promises made by Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto to the people during  election campaign and before with the people would be honored in letter and spirit.

He also paid glowing tributes to Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and to Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto. He said that democracy in the country became possible mainly due to continued struggle and sacrifices of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto.

The joint meeting of the CEC and FC also adopted a unanimous resolution paying tributes to the Party's Chairpersons Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto. The unanimous resolution adopted on the occasion also vowed to honor the families of all martyrs of democracy.